Drink driver jailed for driving while disqualified

A man from Witham will be spending Christmas in prison after being caught driving while disqualified last month.

45-year-old Nicholas Buckle was stopped by Pc Paul Hills in Colchester on 16 November, after Pc Hills noticed that his van had a defective exhaust.

After checking the driver’s details, Pc Hills, who is part of Essex Police Casualty Reduction Section’s motorcycle team, discovered Mr Buckle had been banned from driving just a week before. He had been convicted of drink driving following at hearing at Bury St Edmunds Magistrate’s Court on 9 November, and also had no insurance.

Mt Buckle was arrested and charged later that day with driving while disqualified and using a motor vehicle on the road without insurance.

He appeared at Colchester Magistrates Court on 1 December, where he was given a 17-week custodial sentence and banned from driving for 83 months.

Pc Hills said: “Hopefully some time in prison will give Mr Buckle time to reflect on his actions. Drink driving will not be tolerated and to then flout the law by driving while disqualified and without insurance not only puts law abiding road users at risk, but the offender too.

“Essex Police will always take a proactive approach to reducing the number of casualties on our roads. We take the strongest actions possible to ensure offenders of road traffic offences are brought to justice.”

Anyone who suspects a drink driver or someone that is driving while disqualified is asked to contact Essex Police on 101.

People can also give information anonymously to the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or via an anonymous online form at: www.crimestoppers-uk.org.